Overview of role

We’re looking for a passionate and curious Product Development Technologist to join our Product Development team. You'll help bring new cereal products to life across our Jordans and Dorset brands, as well as selected Private Label projects, supporting everything from kitchen development and recipe creation through to factory trials and product launches.

Working closely with Brand, Operations and Process teams, you'll contribute to both NPD and EPD projects, preparing samples, gathering trial data, and helping turn great ideas into high-quality, factory-ready products that consumers love.

Key Accountabilities

•    Support the delivery of NPD and EPD activity across our cereals and snacks portfolio, working closely with the wider Product Development team.
•    Assist in developing kitchen recipes that meet consumer needs, brand guidelines, and cost targets.
•    Keep close to food trends and innovation across relevant food industry categories, using inspiration to support new ideas, product improvements and future pipeline thinking.
•    Help organise and run R&D production trials, working alongside Process and Operations teams to capture learnings and understand how products behave at scale.
•    Contribute to moving ideas through the stage and gate process, helping to keep activity on track and well documented.
•    Promote a quality first mindset by following best practice ways of working and supporting continuous improvement across the development process.
•    Carry out kitchen development work, including preparing samples, supporting recipe upgrades, and helping troubleshoot product or process issues.
•    Help maintain the R&D Kitchen to an auditable, food safe standard.
•    Support sensory and consumer focused work, including preparing samples for research and contributing to internal taste panels.
•    Contribute to improving flavour, texture, quality, cost, and nutritional profiles of existing products.
•    Assist with preparing for product launches, supporting smooth handover from development to factory.
•    Participate in factory trials to help ensure kitchen developed products can be made consistently on the line and retain their intended flavour, texture, nutrition, and quality through shelf life.
•    Help ensure recipes and related documentation meet cost, compliance, and system requirements.
•    Follow all relevant food safety and quality procedures, including HACCP and external standards such as BRC, IFS, and Femas.
•    Support the development of gold standard product specifications for first production and beyond.
•    Work flexibly across the Product Development team to support workload, trials, and day to day activities.
•    Take ownership of agreed tasks or small focus areas within R&D as part of your ongoing development.

The Right Person

•    At least 1 year of industry experience within food manufacturing, FMCG, product development, technical or a related food environment.
•    Experience using Hamilton Grant or similar specification, recipe or product data management systems.
•    Strong computer skills, with confidence using Microsoft 365 tools including Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and SharePoint.
•    A proactive, curious and hands on approach, with the confidence to ask questions, learn quickly and take ownership of agreed tasks.
•    Good attention to detail, organisation and follow-through, particularly when preparing samples, recording trial information and maintaining accurate documentation.
•    Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work well across Product Development, Process, Operations, Technical, Quality and Commercial teams.
•    An interest in food, ingredients, consumers and product quality, with a passion for developing great tasting products that can be made safely and consistently.
•    Understanding of food safety, quality and good manufacturing practice, or the willingness to build this knowledge quickly.
•    A food science, nutrition, product development or related qualification.

Desirable, but not essential
•    Experience supporting factory trials, shelf life work, sensory panels or sample preparation within a food development environment.
•    Experience working with cereal, snack, bakery or ambient food products.

What’s in the bowl for you?

We want you to feel supported in every part of life. That’s why, alongside your salary, we offer benefits to support your health, finance and life outside of work.

Everyday Health Support – Wellbeing that truly matters:

• Employer Funded Health Cash Plan, offering 24/7 GP access, money towards prescriptions & appointment, Mental Health + Menopause Support and more
• Rounded wellbeing support with Grocery Aid, providing 24/7 confidential help with emotional, financial, legal and caring concerns
• Mental Health First Aiders on hand and a dedicated wellbeing room in our office

Make Your Money Go Further – Rewards, savings and smart travel:

• Salary £25-28k dependant on experience.
• Incentive/bonus opportunities for all roles – reward linked to company and personal or team results
• Competitive pension, matching up to 10% 
• Salary Finance Support – affordable loans or an advance on earned pay
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Octopus Electric Car Scheme  
• Everyday discounts – save at 900+ retailers covering groceries, travel, tech and entertainment
• Discounted Product to enjoy at home! 

Work-Life Balance You Can Feel – Flexibility for work, family and time off

• Hybrid working – work flexibly with 3 office days shaped around role, team and business needs 
• Birthday Day Off – celebrate your way  
• Buy Holiday Scheme – giving you more time to switch off 
• Enhanced Family + Neonatal Leave